The camp unites teens from troubled areas, but some Palestinians miss the trip because of unrest
OTISFIELD | The Seeds of Peace camp opened its 15th season Wednesday during a time of continuing turmoil in the Middle East.
The first three-week session brings together Israelis and Palestinians from the West Bank, as well as teenagers from Jordan, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States.
Several Palestinians from Gaza who were scheduled to attend were unable to make the trip because of military activity in their homeland, said camp spokeswoman Mandy Terc.
Hamas took control of Gaza two weeks ago from Fatah, and violence has escalated since, with Israel now involved in some fighting and Hamas trying to solidify its hold.
At the peace camp, each delegation sang its national anthem during the opening ceremony, which concluded with the Seeds of Peace anthem and the raising of the Seeds of Peace flag.
Since the camp’s founding in 1993, more than 3,500 teenagers have attended the 67-acre lakeside retreat in the Maine woods.
The camp has focused on bringing together Israeli and Arab teens in a summertime setting in hopes of moving beyond deep-rooted hatreds. It has expanded its reach over the years to bring together teenagers from other trouble spots.
The first session, with 150 teenagers, runs through July 17. The second session runs from July 23-Aug. 14 and will have only Arab and Israeli campers. This is the first camp season since the retirement of Tim Wilson, who was the director from 1993 through last year.
Wilson, who gave the opening address at Wednesday’s ceremony, remains with the camp as a special adviser.
The new director, Leslie Lewin, was an assistant director under Wilson.